SUBH MANGAL SAAVDHAN. Director: K. S. Prasanna. Players: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar. Music: Tanishk Bagchi, Vayu. Hindi with English sub-titles (Eros).
Hindi movie scripts are galore with stories about first love, parental disapproval, jilted lovers, star-crossed lovers and lovers on the run. There is one interim phase that has stayed silent thus far. Since gay-themed scripts are yet uncommon, the trophy for the love that dare not speak its name needs a new host. In what contends as one of the most awkward matinee courtships ever, Subh Mangal Saavdhan may have just crossed that river. By taking on and punching sexual performance anxiety right where the funny bone unhinges from the libido, this is a delightfully ground-breaking entry buzzing with freshness.
For shy Delhi office worker Mudit (Khurrana), gathering courage to ask the outgoing Sugandha (Pednekar) for a date is merely the first trip-wire. First date turns into many dates, which in turn leads to a marriage proposal. Unknowingly breaking barriers, on one late evening extended entwining on the living room sofa followed by fumbling with a condom, Mudit unexpectedly suspects that he may have erectile dysfunction. What of their pending nuptials? What of their friends? Most importantly, how to keep this tit-bit secret from their extended busy-body families who are already busy planning a bus trip for a traditional wedding in Haridwar?
This story is from the October 2017 edition of India Currents.
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This story is from the October 2017 edition of India Currents.
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